7 Sales Lessons You Can Learn From Ryan’s Dog Odie
Anyone who knows me would agree that I wasn’t a dog person…until recently. I will spare you the details of how I became a dog person and skip to the point of this blog. As I have been a dog owner for just over a year now, I have noticed how great my dog, Odie, is at sales.
With that backdrop, here are seven things I have learned, or been reminded of, about selling from Odie.
1. Be Curious
When I am out walking Odie, everything is of interest to him. Odie reminds me that this is how we must be in sales. The greatest sales people are curious. The number one question a sales person can ask is, “WHY?”
2. Be Persistent
It’s amazing how Odie stays in the process of selling his mom or myself on giving him a treat. He is constantly “closing” us for more food. Great sales people know that there will be resistance, yet they continue to take the sale as far as it will go.
3. Sell to the Emotion
When Odie first came to us, he was a stray that we were not going to keep. Seriously, with my travel schedule it just didn’t make sense. The first night he stayed with us he slept cuddled up next to me with his head on my shoulder. How could I not keep him after that? He didn’t try to explain the benefits of having a dog. Instead, Odie did what great sales people do…they help the customer to fall in love with their product or service first. Be like Odie.
4. Be Optimistic
Odie is never bummed out that he didn’t get a treat when he asked for it. He’s never in a sales slump. He is always assuming that he will make the sale on the next attempt. Sales people are often like rollercoasters. We are up if we are doing well and down if we aren’t. Instead, stay optimistic. It is better for you and your customers.
5. Over-Deliver
My wife and I have taught Odie to do several tricks. He can sit, high five, stay and lay. I have noticed that he will do the one trick I’ve asked him to do, but just in case, he will do two or three more to ensure he gets the treat. You should take the same approach. Do more than expected and watch how you outsell your competition.
6. Follow Up
About eight months ago Odie saw a cat run in to the storm drain at the end of our block. For the record, Odie hates cats (big surprise). Now every time we take him on a walk he jumps off the curb and sticks his head in the storm drain to see if that cat is there. My guess is eventually he will find the cat. When it comes to making more sales, this is where the pros are separated from the amateurs. Follow up like Odie and watch your sales skyrocket!
7. Be Likeable
Melissa and I know a couple that have dog that is hard to have around. The dog is loud; he bites and is basically a jerk. My friend Tommy once asked this couple, “Why don’t you get a dog everyone can enjoy?” Odie, on the other hand, is awesome. He is very likeable. He attracts people to him. You must be likeable with your customers. It makes all the difference in the world.
I could go on with more lessons, but for now the bottom-line is if you become more like my dog Odie, you will make more sales and change more lives. I know Odie has changed my life for the better. #BeLikeOdie
